If a therapist suspects sexual abuse but the minor is reluctant to share details, what should the therapist do?

When a therapist suspects sexual abuse involving a minor, the correct course of action is to report the suspicion without needing to have all the details. This is primarily because mandatory reporting laws require professionals, including therapists, to report any reasonable suspicions of child abuse, including sexual abuse, to the appropriate authorities. The obligation to report is in place to protect the minor and to ensure that a protective intervention can be initiated as soon as possible.

Confidentiality concerns do not override the duty to report when a minor is at risk of harm. Therefore, even if the minor is hesitant to share details, the therapist is still compelled to act on their suspicion. Reporting helps ensure that trained professionals can investigate the situation further and provide necessary assistance to the child involved.

The other options, such as respecting the minor's privacy, encouraging them to share, or dismissing the concern entirely, do not align with legal and ethical responsibilities. Respecting the minor’s privacy in this context can lead to further harm, encouraging the minor to share without a safe context may lead them to feel pressured or unsafe, and dismissing the concern neglects the potential risk to the minor’s safety. Thus, reporting the suspicion is the only ethically and legally appropriate action.